Crapemyrtle plant named ‘JM1’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Crapemyrtle plant named ‘JM1’, characterized by its upright to somewhat outwardly spreading plant habit; freely branching habit; vigorous and sturdy growth habit; dark green-colored leaves; numerous inflorescences with dark red to dark red purple-colored flowers; and good garden performance and pathogen resistance.

Botanical designation: Lagerstroemia indica ‘JM1’.

Cultivar denomination: ‘JM1’.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO CLOSELY-RELATED APPLICATIONS

Title: Crapemyrtle Plant Named ‘JM3’

Applicant: Jack Mitchell Magee

U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 16/350,180

Title: Crapemyrtle Plant Named ‘JM4’

Applicant: Jack Mitchell Magee

U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 16/350,179

Title: Crapemyrtle Plant Named ‘JM5’

Applicant: Jack Mitchell Magee

U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 16/350,175

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofCrapemyrtle plant, botanically known as Lagerstroemia indica ‘JM1’ andhereinafter referred to by the name ‘JM1’.

The new Crapemyrtle plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Poplarville, Miss. The objective of thebreeding program was to develop new vigorous and freely-branchingCrapemyrtle plants with dark-colored leaves and attractive flowercolors.

The new Crapemyrtle plant originated from a cross-pollination conductedby the Inventor during the summer of 2015 of Lagerstroemia indica‘Natchez White’, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent withLagerstroemia indica ‘Ebony Flame’, not patented, as the male, orpollen, parent. The new Crapemyrtle plant was discovered and selected bythe Inventor in May, 2016 as a single flowering plant from within theprogeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled nurseryenvironment in Poplarville, Miss.

Asexual reproduction of the new Crapemyrtle plant by vegetative softwoodcuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Poplarville, Miss.since August, 2016 has shown that the unique features of the newCrapemyrtle plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have not been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘JM1’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘JM1’ as a new and distinct Crapemyrtle plant:

-   -   1. Upright to somewhat outwardly spreading plant habit.    -   2. Freely branching habit.    -   3. Vigorous and sturdy growth habit.    -   4. Dark green-colored leaves.    -   5. Numerous inflorescences with dark red to dark red        purple-colored flowers.    -   6. Good garden performance and pathogen resistance.

Plants of the new Crapemyrtle can be compared to plants of the femaleparent, ‘Natchez White’. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle differ primarilyfrom plants of ‘Natchez White’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle are more freely branching than        plants of ‘Natchez White’.    -   2. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have dark green-colored leaves        whereas plants of ‘Natchez White’ have light green-colored        leaves.    -   3. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have dark red to dark red        purple-colored flowers whereas plants of ‘Natchez White’ have        white-colored flowers.

Plants of the new Crapemyrtle can be compared to plants of the maleparent, ‘Ebony Flame’. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle differ primarilyfrom plants of Ebony Flame in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle are larger and more vigorous        than plants of ‘Ebony Flame’.    -   2. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have dark green-colored leaves        whereas plants of ‘Ebony Flame’ have dark purple-colored leaves.

Plants of the new Crapemyrtle can be compared to plants of Lagerstroemiax ‘JM3’, disclosed in U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 16/350,180.Plants of the new Crapemyrtle differ primarily from plants of ‘JM3’ inthe following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle are taller than and more        outwardly spreading than plants of ‘JM3’.    -   2. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have dark green-colored leaves        whereas plants of ‘JM3’ have dark greyed purple-colored leaves.    -   3. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have dark red to dark red        purple-colored flowers whereas plants of ‘JM3’ have light        purple-colored flowers.

Plants of the new Crapemyrtle can be compared to plants of Lagerstroemiax ‘JM4’, disclosed in U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 16/350,179.Plants of the new Crapemyrtle differ primarily from plants of ‘JM4’ inthe following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle are shorter than and not as        vigorous as plants of ‘JM4’.    -   2. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have dark green-colored fully        developed leaves whereas plants of ‘JM4’ have dark greyed        purple-colored fully developed leaves.    -   3. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have dark red to dark red        purple-colored flowers whereas plants of ‘JM4’ have        white-colored flowers.

Plants of the new Crapemyrtle can also be compared to plants ofLagerstroemia x ‘JM5’, disclosed in a U.S. Plant Patent applicationfiled concurrently. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle differ primarily fromplants of ‘JM5’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have dark green-colored leaves        whereas plants of ‘JM5’ have dark greyed purple-colored leaves.    -   2. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have dark red to dark red        purple-colored flowers whereas plants of ‘JM5’ have light red        purple-colored flowers.

Plants of the new Crapemyrtle can be compared to plants of theLagerstroemia indica ‘Whit IV’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 11,342.In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Crapemyrtle differprimarily from plants of ‘Whit IV’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle are more vigorous and sturdier        than plants of ‘Whit IV’.    -   2. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle are more freely branching than        plants of ‘Whit IV’.    -   3. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have larger dark green-colored        leaves whereas plants of ‘Whit IV’ have smaller medium        green-colored leaves.    -   4. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have dark red to dark red        purple-colored flowers whereas plants of ‘Whit IV’ have lighter        red-colored flowers.    -   5. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle are more resistant to pathogens        than plants of ‘Whit IV’.

Plants of the new Crapemyrtle can be compared to plants of theLagerstroemia indica ‘Whit II’, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,296.In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Crapemyrtle differprimarily from plants of ‘Whit II’ in the following characteristics:

-   -   1. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle are more vigorous and sturdier        than plants of ‘Whit II’.    -   2. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle are more freely branching than        plants of ‘Whit II’.    -   3. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have dark red to dark red        purple-colored flowers whereas plants of ‘Whit II’ have lighter        red-colored flowers with white-colored spots.    -   4. Plants of the new Crapemyrtle are more resistant to pathogens        than plants of ‘Whit II’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying colored photographs illustrate the overall appearanceof the new Crapemyrtle plant showing the colors as true as it isreasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color valuescited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describethe colors of the new Crapemyrtle plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1 of 2) is a side perspectiveview of a typical plant of ‘JM1’ grown in a container in an outdoornursery.

The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2 of 2) is a close-up view of atypical flowering plant of ‘JM1’ grown in a container in an outdoornursery.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations, measurementsand values describe plants grown in 7-gallon containers in Park Hill,Okla. and Fort Worth, Tex. during the summer in outdoor nurseries andunder cultural conditions which closely approximate commercialCrapemyrtle production. During the production of the plants, daytemperatures averaged 33° C. and night temperatures averaged 14° C.Plants were three years when the photographs and the description weretaken. In the following description, color references are made to TheRoyal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except wheregeneral terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Lagerstroemia indica ‘JM1’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female, or seed, parent.—Lagerstroemia indica ‘Natchez            White’, not patented.        -   Male, or pollen, parent.—Lagerstroemia indica ‘Ebony Flame’,            not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By vegetative softwood and hardwood cuttings.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer.—About ten days at            temperatures about 21° C. to 33° C.        -   Time to initiate roots, winter.—About 25 days at            temperatures about 21° C. to 33° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer.—About one            month at temperatures about 21° C. to 33° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, winter.—About one            month for softwood cuttings and about two months for            hardwood cuttings at temperatures about 21° C. to 33° C.        -   Root description.—Medium in thickness, fibrous; typically            brownish white in color, actual color is dependent on            substrate composition, water quality, fertilizer type and            formulation, substrate temperature and physiological age of            roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Freely branching; dense.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant form and growth habit.—Perennial shrub; upright to            somewhat outwardly spreading plant habit; vigorous and            sturdy growth habit.        -   Branching habit.—Freely branching habit with about six basal            branches developing per plant each with numerous secondary            and tertiary lateral branches.        -   Plant height.—About 215 cm.        -   Plant diameter (area of spread).—About 106 cm.-   Lateral branch description:    -   -   Length.—About 210 cm.        -   Diameter, at the base.—About 6 mm.        -   Internode length.—About 1.4 cm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—About 35° to 45° from vertical.        -   Texture and luster.—Smooth, glabrous; woody with age; matte.        -   Color, immature.—Close to 177A.        -   Color, mature.—Close to 199A.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate; simple.        -   Length.—About 6.5 cm.        -   Width.—About 3.9 cm.        -   Shape.—Ovate to elliptic.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Obtuse to cuneate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture and luster, upper surface.—Smooth, glabrous; matte.        -   Texture and luster, lower surface.—Smooth, glabrous;            slightly glossy.        -   Venation pattern.—Pinnate.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to 147A.            Developing leaves, lower surface: Close to 146A. Fully            expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to between 147A and            139A; venation, close to 146A. Fully expanded leaves, lower            surface: Close to between 146A and 147B; midvein, close to            144C to 144D and lateral venation, close to 146A.        -   Petioles.—Length: About 2 mm. Diameter: About 2 mm. Texture            and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous;            slightly glossy. Color, upper surface: Close to 146A to            146B. Color, lower surface: Close to 146B.-   Flower description:    -   -   Flower type, arrangement and habit.—Showy single ruffled            flowers arranged in terminal panicles; freely flowering            habit with usually about 28 to 32 flowers per inflorescence            and numerous inflorescences developing during the flowering            season; flowers face upright and outwardly; flowers not            persistent.        -   Natural flowering season.—Plants of the new Crapemyrtle            flower during the summer and into the autumn in Fort Worth,            Tex.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Inflorescence height.—About 10 cm.        -   Inflorescence diameter.—About 9.5 cm.        -   Flower diameter.—About 2.7 cm.        -   Flower depth.—About 2.1 cm.        -   Flower buds.—Length: About 8 mm. Diameter: About 7 mm.            Shape: Obovate to spherical. Texture and luster: Smooth,            glabrous; glossy. Color: Close to 187A to 187B.        -   Petals.—Quantity per flower and arrangement: Six arranged in            a single whorl. Length: About 1.4 cm. Width: About 1.5 cm.            Shape: Roughly orbicular. Apex: Rounded, undulate; ruffled.            Base: Rounded. Margin: Entire, undulate; ruffled. Texture            and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous;            soft; delicate; matte. Color: When opening, upper and lower            surfaces: Close to between 53A and 59B. Fully opened, upper            and lower surfaces: Close to between 53A and 59B; color            becoming closer to 59A to 59B with development. Stalk: Close            to between 53A and 59B.        -   Sepals.—Quantity per flower and arrangement: Six arranged in            a single whorl. Length: About 8 mm. Width: About 4.5 mm.            Shape: Narrowly deltoid. Apex: Acute. Base: Fused. Margin:            Entire. Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces:            Smooth, glabrous; glossy. Color: When opening and fully            opened, upper surface: Close to 187D. When opening and fully            opened, lower surface: Close to 187A to 187B.        -   Pedicels.—Length: About 6 mm. Diameter: About 1.5 mm.            Strength: Strong, flexible. Aspect: About 45° from stem            axis. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color:            Close to 144A tinged with close to 187A.        -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Quantity per flower:            About 24. Filament length: About 8 mm. Filament color: Close            to 58D. Anther length: About 1.5 mm. Anther shape: Oblong.            Anther color: Close to 9A. Amount of pollen: None.            Gynoecium: Quantity per flower: One. Pistil length: About            1 cm. Style length: About 8 mm. Style color: Close to 60A.            Stigma appearance: Spherical. Stigma color: Close to 144A.            Ovary: Close to 11A.        -   Fruits and seeds.—Fruit and seed development has not been            observed on plants of the new Crapemyrtle.-   Garden performance: Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have been observed    to have good garden performance and to tolerate rain, wind and    temperatures ranging from about −10° C. to about 38° C. and to be    cold hardy to USDA Hardiness Zone 6.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: Plants of the new Crapemyrtle have been    observed to be resistant to leaf spot (Cercospora lythracearum) and    powdery mildew (Erysiphe lagerstroemia). Plants of the new    Crapemyrtle have not been observed to be resistant to pests and    other pathogens common to Crapemyrtle plants.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Crapemyrtle plant named ‘JM1’ asillustrated and described.